Means to prevent breaking of awning valances



June 19, 1951 w; J. MUELLER 2,557,306

MEANS TO PREVENT BREAKING 0F AWNING VALANCES Filed June 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 19, 1951 w. J. MUELLER 2,557,305

MEANS To PREVENT BREAKING 0F AWNING VALANCES Filed June 12, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 19,;1951

UNITED STATES TENT OFFICE MEANS TO PREVENT BREAKING OF AWNING VALANCES William J. Mueller, Racine, Wis. Application June 12, 1947, Serial No. 754,209

16 Claims. 1 1

This invention relates to awnings and especially to the type'of awnings having a downwardly hanging valance forming the front portion thereof.

An object of this invention is to provide ameans of preventing the valance from blowing up over the roof of the awning. The ultimate effect of this movement of the valance is to tear or break it, necessitating the removal of the entire awning for repairs because the roof and valance are usually stitched together.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein a satisfactory embodiment of the invention is shown. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to thedetails disclosed but includes all such variations as fall" Fig. 8 shows the invention applied to an awning 7 having a tubular frame bar.

Described generally, this inventioncomprises a fabric roof portion R of the awning, a fabric valance V, a hinged member H, a frame F, a connecting means C and a structure S.

Describing the invention specifically, the structure S comprises the support for the awning and is usually a building wall in which are Windows suitable means is the downwardly-extending valance V which hangs a substantial distance The purpose of the valance V is partly for ornamentation and also to pro vide space for firm names and addresses. The

a drum D which extends the length of the roof R and upon which the roof is rolled when not in use.

for rolling the awning up when not in use will not be described, as this arrangement is conventional and not a part of this invention' v When the awning is in the downward or unrolled position, the support members II are in the horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1. The

lower surface of the bar II] is also horizontal when the awning is in use. V

Secured to the roof R by stitching or other below the bar I0.

valance is customarily made of fabric similarly to that used for the roof R. It is usually made independently of the roof R and then stitched thereto. The reason for doing" this is to enable the valance V to be easily handled when stencil--:

ing lettering thereto. Heretofore an independor doors over which the awning hangs and towhich it is intended to offer protection from the weather. I

The frame F comprises a longitudinal front barv Ill which extends the full length of the awning roof R. Bar II! may be made of wood or other suitable material such as metal tubing or pipe. In this instance the bar I0 is rectangular and is supported a suitable distance from the structure S and parallel thereto by a plurality of support members I I, the latter being usually made of tubing or pipe. One support member being disposed at each end of the awning in this instance. Bar In is suitably fastened to the extremity of the support member II. The ends of support members II adjacent the structure S are pivoted to brackets I2, the latter being secured to the structure S by suitable fastening means.

The roof R in this instance, is mounted upon ent valance has been usually considered neces-" sary because of the damage done by Wind, necessitating the replacement of the valance. This invention will largely make the removal of the valance unnecessary because the valance will not be able to blow up over the roof of the awning. The invention is especially valuable in. windy localities, where without this invention costly repairs maybe frequent.

The dotted lines of 'Fig. 1 show the awning partially raised and shows the position of the valance and the hinged member H as assumed- It is clear that, as will be later explained; this invention will' effectively prevent the damage to the valance at an intermediate position.

caused by wind- Hinge means H and connecting member 0 comprises thegist of the invention taken in combination with the awning as described.

Hinge means H comprises in the preferred form, a downwardly-depending arm I4 of metal or similar material. A hinge I5 having a hinge pin I501. is secured to the upper end of arm I landalso to the under surface of bar Ill. The

upper end of arm I4, in this instance, is of a length sufiicient to contact bar I0 when the arm 14 is vertical as indicated by reference to number I6. Thus arm I4 will be allowed to swing inwardly toward the structure S but will be limited against outward swinging when the porbar III.

support members II by the abutment I5."

The lower portion of arm I4 has inthisin- The drum Dis journalled in suitable brackets fastened to the structure S. The means stance, an elongated aperture IT. A tubular member is made to slide freely in the aperture l1, and is slightly longer than the thickness of the arm M A bolt t'Sris. provided'with a washer 20 which is then 'passed' through a hole in the valance V. Tubular member I8 is then placed upon the bolt l9. After the tubular member 18 is passed through the aperture- 11- a.-- washer. 2| and a nut 22 completes the assembly. Washer. 2| prevents the tubular member from disengagement from aperture ll. Thus it is clear that the valance V will be clamped'between the washer 20 and the tubular member l8 and will be also anchored to the arm M. V will have freedom to creep relative to the aperture t1 when. the arm. l4. swing-s inwardlytoward the structure 8.. Thus the valance V is. allowed to hangq freelybut is. preventedfrom: being blown upovertheroof 'R ofthe awning, by the washer 2| which in is.- held againstoutward movement by the arm I4, the latter being restrainedby' contact of portion [Gabi-1tting bar 10.

Figs. 6 and 7 show the modification which. will nowbe explained: In this instance arm 23,, which; is similar to arm I4 above, has a. hole -24.--which accommodates a'bolt 25 The valance V has in.- serted therein an elongated-grommet 26':0fi the typeusually used: with: fabric for the purpose of.

strengthening. Abutting; the arm 23 in this .in-'

stance is a, tubular member 21 which is of suming a. washer 28, is passed-through the: tubular" member; 21 and then through the. army 23. A

washer 23 andv a. nut-3d complete the assembly of'themodification.

It. will be observed-that. .astheawning-is raised to the;p.osition:.where the roofR. is completelyrolled upon the drum D, the valance Vwil-l. never be .allowedto move outwardly more than 190 degrees from the support'membergll. It. isclear then, that. by the use ofthis inventionsthe valance V can. never be blownrup: over: theroofR of theawmmqregardless of theposition of thelatter.

The modification shown; irr-Eig: 8' comprises a.

tubular bar 3| which. forms; the front portion of the-frame F and which. replaces the bar 10;. above. Secured to the bar 3| bydriverscrews'32 or other suitable means, is a hinge-33.1 One butt of. hinge 33 is formed to. fit the contour of the-bar13l. other butt of the hinge 33' is directed downwardly. Secured to the above-mentioned downwardly di-- rected portion of hinge 33 is an arm 34.: This arm 3; isgsimilar to: the arm Mmentioned. above, the function of bothbeing identical. The upper. portion 35 of arm: 34 abuts-the bar-3l so as to prevent outward swinging of the arm: 34.. The

fastening of the awning to the bar 3| is similar to downwardly extending valance fixed thereto, incombination, means to: prevent theoutward swinging ofzthe said valance when the said awning. is in the extreme. downward position, comprising: a. first hinge member-secured to the lower face of the said front bar adjacent. the front vertical face thereof, a downwardly extending. second: hinge member disposed. adjacent'the: said The valance:

The"

valance, a hinge pin pivotally connecting the said first and second hinge members, said second hinge member being provided with an abutment at the extremeupper end thereof for engagement with the lower face of the said front-bar to prevent the said second hinge member from outward swinging beyond the vertical position when the saidv awning is in the extreme downward position, said second hinge member being provided with a longitudinal aperture at the lower end thereof, a tubular member loosely connected to said aperture, the length of said tubular member being in excess of the thickness of the said second hinge member, fastening means securing the said tubular member to the said valance and means confining said tubular member to a sliding'engagement. relative to the said aperture.

2. In an awning having a frame and a down.- wardly directed valance, in combination, means to prevent the outward swinging. of the said valance when the said awning is in the extreme operative position, comprising a first hingemember secured to the said frame, a downwardly extending secondhinge member, pivotal means con' necting the said first and second hinge members, said second hinge member being provided with an abutment for engagement with the said frame. to prevent outward swinging. of the said second hinge member when the said awning is in the extreme operative. position, said second hinge member having; an aperture at the lower extremity there of, a guide member adapted toslide freely in the said aperture, means for securing the. said guide member to the said valance, said. guide member being freely movable, in said-aperture and means 44. valance, in combination, a downwardly depending member to prevent the said valance from swinging, outwardly from the said structure when the said awning is in the operative position, comprising a first hinge member secured to the said frame, a second and downwardly depending hinge member pivotally associated with the said first hinge member, said second hinge-member being provided with an abutment to preventoutwardswinging of the said. second hinge member but allowing inward swinging thereof toward the said structure, said second hinge -member having an aperture substantially near thelower end thereof, a guide member adapted to slide freely in the said aperture and means for securing said guide member to the said valance, said guide member. being of a length freely slidable within and along the said aperture.

4. In an awning having a frame and a downwardly directed. valance. attached thereto, in combination, a first hinge member secured to the said frame,.asecond hinge member pivotally depending from the said first hinge member and adjacent the said valance, said second hinge member being provided with an abutment for engagement, with the said-frame to limit the said second hinge member to inward swinging from the vertical when the said awning is in the said normally downwardlyextending' position, said second hinge member having an aperturein the plane thereof substantially near the extremity and means associated with the said valance having slidable engagement with the said aperture.

5. In an awning having and provided with a valance secured thereto-and: provided with. a

front bar, in combination a first hinge member secured to the said front bar, a second hinge member pivotally depending from the said first hinge member and adjacent the said valance, said hinge members having abutting means to prevent the said second hinge member from assuming an angle in excess of the vertical outwardly when the said awning is in the downwardly extending position, said second hinge member being provided with an aperture, a guide member adapted for sliding engagement relative to the said aperture, the length of the said guide member being slightly in excess of the thickness of the said hinge member, fastening means to secure the said guide member to the said valance and means to prevent disengagement of the said guide member from the said aperture.

6. In combination with an awning having a front bar and a depending valance, a first hinge member secured to the said bar, a second hinge member pivotally depending from the said first hinge member, and adjacent the said valance, means associated with the said second hinge member to prevent outward swinging thereof, said second hinge member being provided with an aperture at the lower extremity thereof, anchor means secured to the said valance freely engaging said aperture to retain the relative association between the said valance and the said second hinge member.

7. In combination with an awning secured to a structure and having a frame and a depending valance, a depending pivoted member adjacent the said valance and secured to the said frame, abutment means associated with the said pivoted member to prevent the latter from pivotal movement away from the said structure in excess of the depending position of the said pivoted member when the said awning is in the normally operative position, said pivoted member having an aperture in the plane thereof spaced from the said frame, an anchor means freely connected to said aperture and secured thereto against disengagement therefrom and means to secure the said anchor means to the said valance.

8. In combination with an awning secured to a structure and having a frame and a depending valance, a depending member pivoted to the said frame adjacent to the said valance, means to prevent the said depending member from pivotal movement away from the said structure substantially in excess of the depending position of the said depending member when the said awning is in the normally operative position, said valance having an aperture spaced from the said frame, anchor means freely connected to said aperture and secured against disengagement therefrom and means to secure the said anchor means to the said depending member.

9. In combination with an awning secured to a structure and having a depending valance, a pivoted member adjacent to the said valance, means associated with the said pivoted member to prevent the latter from pivotal movement away from the said structure substantially in excess of the depending position of the said pivoted member when the said awning is in the normally operative position, said pivoted member having an aperture, an anchor means freely connected to said aperture and secured against disengagement therefrom and means to secure the said anchor means to the said valance.

10. In combination with an awning secured to a structure and having a depending valance, a pivoted member adjacent to the said valance, means associated with the said pivoted member to prevent the latter from pivotal movement away from the said structure substantially in excess of the depending position of the said pivoted member when the said awning is in the normally operative position, said valance having an aperture, an anchor means freely connected to the said aperture and secured against disengagement therefrom and means to secure the said anchor means to the said pivoted member.

11. In an awning having a frame and a depending valance, in combination, a hinged member depending from said frame and adjacent said valance, said valance provided with an aperture, anchor means secured to said pivoted member and confined to movement in said aperture.

12. In an awning having a depending valance, in combination, a hinged flat depending member adjacent said valance and having a guide slot in the face thereof, anchor means intermediate said valance and said depending member, one end of said anchor member secured to said valance and the other end thereof freely slidable in said guide slot.

13. In an awning having a depending valance, in combination, a pivoted depending member adjacent said valance and having a guide slot in the surface thereof, an anchor member intermediate said valance and said depending memher, one end of said anchor member secured to said valance and the other end thereof slidably engaged in said guide slot.

14. In an awning having a depending valance, in combination, a depending member having a slot and positioned adjacent said valance, an anchor member intermediate said valance and said depending member, ,one end of said anchor member secured to said valance and the other end loosely confined in said slot.

15. In an awning having a depending valance, in combination, a depending member adjacent said valance and having a vertical guide aperture, an anchor member intermediate said valance and said depending member, one end of said anchor member secured to said valance and the other end loosely engaged in said guide aperture and confined to vertical movement therein.

16. In an awning having a depending valance provided with an aperture, in combination, a hinged depending member adjacent said valance, anchor means intermediate said valance and said depending member, one end of said anchor means secured to said depending member and the other end thereof confined to a slidable engagement in said aperture.

WILLIAM J. MUELLER.

Name Date Stecker Dec. 30, 1919 Number Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,557,306 June 19, 1951 WILLIAM J. MUELLER It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows:

Column 4, line 74, after the Word having strike out and provided with;

and that the said Letters Patent should be read as corrected above, so that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oflice. Signed and sealed this 25th day of September, A. D. 1951.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Oommz'saz'oner of Patents. 

